Why Mentors Are Important by D.J. Burr

I have a mentor and he guides me on the path of recovery and sobriety. He is my sponsor. A sponsor is someone who assumes responsibility for another addict in recovery. I think a mentor and sponsor are synonymous. Their purpose and goals are the same – to guide and nurture.

My sponsor and I have a relationship that is valuable, authentic, and reliable. He is an asset who helped me get sober and stay sober. Over the years, he has become more than a friend; he’s family.

In 12-Step fellowships, a sponsor is a valuable tool. Sponsors help you stay accountable to yourself and your program of recovery. Having a sponsor helps you not feel alone in the process of recovery. 

I met my sponsor several years ago and I asked him to help me get sober. He agreed after I accepted the guidelines he suggested below:

Daily contact for first 90 days of recovery
Weekly face to face meetings
Weekly step-work out of recovery literature
Attend at least two 12-step meetings a week

And that was just the beginning. Our relationship has been one of the most genuine and caring relationships I have ever had. My sponsor has shown me the path of recovery and walks with me. During our first 90 days of sponsorship, I was able to connect with him and share all of my fear, hope, shame, anxiety, anger, stress–you name it. My sponsor was there as a supportive ear and guide to help me through very difficult times. I am forever grateful to him. 

You can have this experience too. You may not find it right away. It’s all a process and when you are ready the path is right in front of you. Look for a mentor who you is relatable. Identify someone that has similar values and beliefs. Remember, a mentor is a supportive guide – allow their gentleness to lead you on a path worth living.

Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE

Darrett “D.J.” Burr is a licensed mental health counselor in the Washington State; national certified counselor and a specialist in problematic sexual behavior. He has been in private practice in Seattle, WA for five years. D.J. is the co-founder, owner, and Executive Director of A.B.L.E. Counseling Services, LLC.
D.J. is the creator of ABLE Affirmations, ABLE Life Recovery, and the ABLE Care Clinic. D.J. published Unfinished: A GLBT Domestic Violence Workbook while completing his Masters in Community Counseling at Argosy University-Atlanta in 2009.
Born in raised in Marietta, GA, D.J. has been known to many as a survivor. His childhood was less-than-nurturing. D.J. spent the majority of his early years tending to other’s needs and wants; not knowing what his were. He kept fighting for more–more understanding of himself.
Unfortunately, D.J. lost focus after being targeted by a sexual predator. D.J. lapsed into addiction to numb the pain of the molestation, broken relationships, dysfunctional family of origin, and loss of his childhood. However, the addiction did not stop him.

Over 15 years later, D.J. has learned to live life instead of surviving life. D.J. found answers to his long unanswered questions, primarily, who loves me? Twelve Step recovery and rigorous honesty saved D.J. from a life of addiction. He can now say, “I love myself.” Loving himself allowed D.J. to stop chasing unavailable people, places, and things. He now focuses on his recovery, which impacts every facet of his life.
D.J. enjoys writing, watching movies, especially horror/suspense. His favorite band is Nickelback. His favorite R&B group is Destiny’s Child. D.J. is also a huge fan of old 80s-90s cartoons like Transformers.
You can visit D.J. Burr’s website at www.ijustwantedlove.com
 
Connect with D.J.:
Author Website: www.ijustwantedlove.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/djburrseattle

Twitter: http://twitter.com/djburr1022

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/djable

 

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